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CVE-2026-53488: Linuxfoundation Containerd Improper Input Validation (CVSS 9.4)

CVE-2026-53488 is a critical severity improper input validation in Linuxfoundation Containerd with a CVSS score of 9.4. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.

Last updated: Jul 3, 2026

Quick answer

Direct answer

CVE-2026-53488 is a critical severity improper input validation in Linuxfoundation Containerd with a CVSS score of 9.4. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.

Risk scores

CVSS base score
9.4CRITICAL
EPSS probability
0.18%
Higher than 7 percent of all CVEs
CISA KEV
Not listed
CVSS metricWhat it means
Attack vector (AV:L)Local access needed
Attack complexity (AC:L)Low complexity
Attack requirements (AT:N)No attack requirements
Privileges required (PR:N)No privileges required
User interaction (UI:N)No user interaction
Confidentiality (VC:H)High confidentiality impact
Integrity (VI:H)High integrity impact
Availability (VA:H)High availability impact

CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

About Linuxfoundation Containerd

CVE-2026-53488 affects Linuxfoundation Containerd, a product from Linuxfoundation. Before acting, confirm where Linuxfoundation Containerd runs in your estate, who owns it and whether it is reachable from the internet, because exposure decides real risk more than the score alone.

What the flaw is

In plain terms: containerd is an open-source container runtime. In versions prior to 1.7.33, 2.3.2, 2.2.5, 2.1.9, and 2.0.10 the CRI plugin propagates labels from an image config (LABEL instruction in Dockerfile) to a container without validation. This may result in executing an arbitrary command on the host, via a plugin that consumes container labels for some operations. This issue has been fixed in versions 1.7.33, 2.3.2, 2.2.5, 2.1.9, and 2.0.10.

The weakness class is Improper Input Validation. The software trusts input without checking it is safe.

Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw needs local or adjacent access, needs no login, and needs no user interaction. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.

Affected versions and timeline

FieldDetail
ProductLinuxfoundation Containerd
Affected versionsContainerd from 1.7.0 before 1.7.33; Containerd from 2.0.0 before 2.0.10; Containerd from 2.1.0 before 2.1.9; Containerd from 2.2.0 before 2.2.5; Containerd from 2.3.0 before 2.3.2
PublishedJul 1, 2026
Last modifiedJul 3, 2026
Added to CISA KEVNot listed
Assigning CNAsecurity-advisories@github.com

How to detect it

  • Inventory every instance of Linuxfoundation Containerd and record the running version against the affected range above.
  • Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
  • Review logs on affected systems for unusual requests, errors or new processes around the vulnerable function.
  • Confirm with an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner has a check for this CVE.

How to fix it

  • Apply the fixed version of Linuxfoundation Containerd named in the vendor advisory.
  • If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and put it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
  • Rescan after the change to prove the exposure is gone, then close the ticket.

CTEM action plan

CTEM stageWhat to do for this CVE
ScopeAdd every business service that depends on Linuxfoundation Containerd to the current CTEM cycle.
DiscoverFind all instances, including shadow and cloud deployments, and record versions and exposure.
PrioritizeRank using EPSS and CVSS together with asset exposure and business impact.
ValidateConfirm the flaw is reachable and exploitable in your environment and that compensating controls work.
MobilizeAssign the fix to the asset owner with a due date matched to the priority, then verify closure.

CWE References

Technical References

Frequently asked questions

CVE-2026-53488 is a critical severity improper input validation in Linuxfoundation Containerd with a CVSS score of 9.4. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.

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